Key Steps in Tree Felling

Felling trees is a hazardous and complicated task that must be done properly in order to avoid injury to the sawyer and damage to property. A poorly executed felling job can lead to serious injury or even death to the sawyer and property damage to property or people in the vicinity of the fallen tree. There are several key steps in the process of tree felling that must be completed successfully in order to ensure a safe operation.

Before attempting to fell a tree, it is crucial to thoroughly examine the site and surrounding area. Look for things like overhead cables, fences, and old stumps that could get in the way of the fall path. Also note the direction and strength of the wind as this can affect the stability of the crown of the tree.

Next, the tree sawyer must decide which direction to fell the tree. A tree that is not felled in the right direction can easily cause damage to buildings, cars, and people in its path. Felling a tree from the wrong direction can also damage power lines and result in loss of service. If you are unsure whether or not a tree can safely be felled, consult with a professional tree cutter before proceeding.

After determining the intended direction of the tree’s fall, the sawyer must clear away any brush and other debris that might obstruct the fall path. Finally, the tree sawyer must clear two escape routes on the non-falling side of the tree. Having clearly planned and unobstructed escape routes is one of the most important safety features of the felling process. Escape routes allow the sawyer to quickly move away from the falling tree and reduce the risk of injury or property damage.

Once the escape routes are cleared, the sawyer must make a directional notch in the trunk of the tree. A directional notch is a series of cuts that remove a triangular section of the tree and is essential in the successful felling of a tree. The notch is made in a manner that positions the static load of the tree in a way that will control its direction of fall when the final cut (the back cut) is made.

The directional notch should be completed to at least the height of the base of the tree and should leave a hinge of wood on each side of the notch. The thickness of this hinge is crucial and should not exceed a few inches. This hinge will be the point of contact between the notch and the back cut and will control the direction in which the tree falls.

Once the directional notch has been completed, the sawyer should make the back cut in line with the apex of the notch. After making the back cut, the sawyer should walk away along one of the escape routes, keeping an eye on the tree to ensure that it is falling as expected.

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